§ Mrs. BrintonTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what representations he has received on the effectiveness of child contact centres in facilitating contact between children and non-residential parents and other family members. [141187]
§ Jane KennedyI have received a number of representations about the effectiveness of child contact centres both from hon. Members and from others. The Government greatly value the work of contact centres and the service they provide for children, their parents and other family members. We firmly believe that it is for the benefit of children as well as parents to remain in contact with each other unless there is some reason why this would be unsafe or inappropriate in a particular case.
§ Mrs. BrintonTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department which agency will(a) have responsibility for and (b) bear the cost of, police checks on volunteer workers in Child Contact Centres. [141186]
§ Jane KennedyPolice checks on volunteer workers in Child Contact Centres are currently the responsibility of the probation service. Consideration is being given to the future responsibility for these checks. I shall write to my hon. Friend with these details shortly and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House of Commons.